Colorado Springs, CO — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is investigating a disturbing new trend of scams where criminals impersonate law enforcement officers and demand payment in gold or other precious metals. The scammers often provide personal details about the victim to make their demands seem more credible, leaving many unsuspecting individuals at risk of significant financial loss.
According to CSPD, the criminals typically claim the victim has missed jury duty, failed to show up for a subpoena, or needs to turn themselves in on a warrant. In these scenarios, the scammers insist that the victim pay a fine in gold or another form of precious metal to resolve the situation. The victims, believing they are acting in good faith to avoid legal trouble, purchase gold from legitimate dealers and hand it over to the scammers.
CSPD has confirmed at least two cases in which victims bought gold from authorized dealers, only to transfer it to the scammers in an attempt to protect themselves. Authorities believe there are likely more unreported incidents occurring in the area.
“These scams are highly deceptive,” said a spokesperson for the police department. “The scammers often have information about the victim that sounds legitimate, making the scam even more convincing.”
The police department is reminding the public that no law enforcement agency, including CSPD, will ever ask for payments over the phone, especially in forms such as cryptocurrency or precious metals. “It’s important to remember that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never solicit payment via phone calls, and especially not through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or precious metals,” the spokesperson stressed.
In an effort to help community members avoid falling victim to such scams, CSPD is advising the following preventive measures:
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Be cautious about social media posts. Scammers can access personal details through social media, using that information to exploit victims.
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Do not trust calls asking for payments in gold, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. If you receive such a call, stop and take a moment to reconsider the situation. Remember that law enforcement will never ask for payment in these ways.
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Verify the legitimacy of the caller. If the caller claims to be from law enforcement, hang up and use the publicly listed contact number for that agency to confirm the information. The same applies if the caller claims to represent a business or company.
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Avoid clicking on suspicious links. Be wary of text messages or emails with embedded links. Instead, search for the company’s website or contact information directly.
CSPD encourages anyone who believes they have been targeted by this or any similar scam to contact the department at (719) 444-7000. Police are urging residents to report any such incidents, as they suspect there may be many more unreported cases.
As the investigation continues, the public is reminded to stay vigilant and always verify any unsolicited requests for payment, particularly when precious metals or digital currencies are involved.
